2023-07-18 Regular Meeting
July 18, 2023 — 6:30 PM
Council Chambers
Hybrid Meeting
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
City Council meetings are being conducted in a hybrid format with in-person and remote options for
attending, participating, and commenting. The public can make statements in this meeting during
public comment sections, including the public forum beginning at 6:20 pm.
1. Call to Order
Mayor Harris called the meeting to order at 6:45 pm.
1A. Pledge of Allegiance and Land Acknowledgement
Mayor Harris led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and read the City’s Land
Acknowledgement statement.
1B. Roll Call
Present: Mayor Shep Harris, Council Members Sophia Ginis, Maurice Harris, Denis La
Mere-Anderson, and Gillian Rosenquist
Staff Present: City Manager Cruikshank, City Attorney Cisneros, Community Development
Director Flores, Building Official Anderson, Sustainability Specialist Kehrberg, and
Deputy City Clerk Schwalbe
Mayor Harris stated that due to scheduling constraints Item #1D. Update by Hennepin County
Sherriff Dawanna Witt would be the first presentation of the meeting.
1D. Update by Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt
Police Chief Green introduced Hennepin County Sheriff Witt who provided a presentation about
the strategic and legislative priorities of the Sheriff’s Office.
Mayor Harris thanked Sheriff Witt for their time and informational update.
1C. Recognition of Senator Rest and Representative Freiberg
City Manager Cruikshank introduced Senator Rest and Representative Freiberg.
Mayor Harris presented a certificate of appreciation to Senator Rest and Representative Freiberg
in appreciation of their years of support to the community and successful advocacy for the City’s
highest priorities during the 2023 legislative session.
DocuSign Envelope ID: D6C9F21D-94C9-43FA-AC72-6A67DB38F511
1E. Swearing-In Ceremony for New Members of the Golden Valley Police Department
Police Chief Green administered the oath of office to Officer Andrew Evenson and Officer Gabriel
Page and welcomed them to the Golden Valley Police Department.
1F. Proclamation Recognizing National Night Out - Tuesday, August 1
Police Chief Green discussed the proclamation recognizing National Night Out on August 1, 2023.
He stated there were approximately 73 neighborhood gatherings that participated last year. He
also encouraged block captains to register their neighborhood gatherings so that the Police and
Fire Departments could schedule visits.
Motion by M. Harris, Second by Rosenquist to approve the proclamation recognizing National
Night Out on Tuesday, August 1, 2023.
Motion carried 5-0.
2. Additions and Corrections to Agenda
Motion by Rosenquist, Second by La Mere-Anderson to approve the agenda as submitted.
Motion carried 5-0.
3. Consent Agenda
Approval of Consent Agenda - All items listed under this heading are considered to be routine by
the City Council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no discussion of these items
unless a Council Member so requests in which event the item will be removed from the general
order of business and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda.
Motion by Rosenquist, Second by Ginis to approve the Consent Agenda as revised:
Removal of items #3B.1. Board and Commission Appointments; #3C.1. Authorize Agreement
for SEA-Wildwood Park Sun Shelter with Minnesota-Wisconsin Playground, Inc.; and #3E.
Adopt Resolution No. 23-064 Approving Laws 2023, Regular Session, Chapter 64, Article 10,
Section 37, to Impose a Sales and Use Tax.
Motion carried 5-0.
3A. Approval of City Check Registers
3B. Boards, Commissions, and Task Forces:
3B.1. Board and Commission Appointments
3C. Bids, Quotes, and Contracts:
3C.1. Authorize Agreement for SEA-Wildwood Park Sun Shelter with Minnesota-Wisconsin
Playground Inc.
3D. Approve Variance Extension at 2330 York Avenue North
3E. Adopt Resolution No. 23-064 Approving Laws 2023, Regular Session, Chapter 64, Article
10, Section 37, to Impose a Sales and Use Tax
3F. Adopt Resolution 23-065 for a Reimbursement Agreement for the New Public Works and
Public Safety Facilities
DocuSign Envelope ID: D6C9F21D-94C9-43FA-AC72-6A67DB38F511
3G. Adopt Resolution No. 23-066 Assigning Contingency funds to City Manager's Department
for 2023 Strategic Priorities
3. Items Removed From the Consent Agenda
3B.1. Board and Commission Appointments
Council Member La Mere-Anderson thanked residents for applying to the City’s commissions.
She also wanted to remind interested individuals that there are more openings on City
commissions and encouraged residents to look at the City website for more information.
Motion by La Mere-Anderson, Second by M. Harris to make the following appointments:
PLANNING COMMISSION TERM DATE
Benjamin Fricke (youth) September 30, 2024
Bob Meredith April 30, 2024
Gary Cohen April 30, 2024
Amy Barnstorff April 30, 2025
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION COMMISSION TERM DATE
George Kannenberg (youth) September 30, 2024
Motion Carried 5-0.
3C.1. Authorize Agreement for SEA-Wildwood Park Sun Shelter with Minnesota-Wisconsin
Playground Inc.
City Attorney Cisneros stated the agreement included in the agenda packet had a blank space in
paragraph 13 where the bond amount should have been filled in. She provided Council Member
Harris with amended motion language to correct the error to adequately reflect the City’s
requirement for a bond amount that is equal to the size of the contract.
Motion by M. Harris, Second by La Mere-Anderson to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to
execute an agreement with Minnesota-Wisconsin Playground Inc for the purchase and installation
of the SEA-Wildwood Park sun shelter in the amount of $57,229 and to fill-in $57, 229 on the
agreement as the required bond amount.
Motion Carried 5-0.
3E. Adopt Resolution No. 23-064 Approving Laws 2023, Regular Session, Chapter 64, Article
10, Section 37, to Impose a Sales and Use Tax
Mayor Harris explained the process of instituting a sales and use tax and stated that this resolution
does not approve the sales and use tax. Mayor Harris added that there will be many more
opportunities for residents to learn the details of the sales and use tax that will be included on the
November ballot in the near future.
Motion by Ginis, Second by Rosenquist to adopt Resolution No. 23-064 approving laws 2023,
regular session, Chapter 64, Article 10, Section 37, relating to allowing the City of Golden Valley to
impose a local sales tax in the amount of one and a quarter percent for the purpose of relocating
DocuSign Envelope ID: D6C9F21D-94C9-43FA-AC72-6A67DB38F511
and reconstructing a new Public Works facility and constructing a new Public Safety facility on the
current Public Works site.
Motion carried 5-0 with unanimous approval. (In favor: S. Harris, Ginis, M. Harris, La Mere-
Anderson, Rosenquist. Opposed: N/A)
4. Public Hearing
4A. Hazardous Building Declaration-2425 Douglas Drive North
City Attorney Maria Cisneros discussed the staff report including evidence and timeline of
conditions at the property, staff communication with the property owner, process involved in
making a hazardous building declaration, and timeline for possible remediation . She noted that
Building Official Anderson was also in attendance and available for Council questions.
Council Member La Mere-Anderson thanked staff for their efforts to find a solution for the
hazardous conditions at this property and continued communication with the property owner .
Council Member Rosenquist and Mayor Harris stated their agreement with Council Member La
Mere-Anderson’s statements.
Mayor Harris opened the public hearing. As there were no comments, the public hearing was
closed.
Motion by Rosenquist, Second by Ginis to adopt Resolution No. 23-067 ordering repair and
removal of hazardous conditions at 2425 Douglas Drive North.
Motion carried 5-0 with unanimous approval. (In favor: S. Harris, Ginis, M. Harris, La Mere-
Anderson, Rosenquist. Opposed: N/A)
5. Old Business
6. New Business
6A. First Consideration of Ordinance No. 768 - Updates to Solid Waste Ordinance (Backyard
Composting)
Sustainability Specialist Kehrberg discussed the staff report and explained the difference
between backyard composting and organics recycling. He added that this ordinance would
expand resident access to composting and decrease food waste going to landfills.
Mayor Harris opened the item for public comment. No one requested to speak.
Motion by Ginis, Second by M. Harris to adopt the first consideration of Ordinance No. 768
amending Chapter 22 of the Golden Valley City Code to update language regarding composting.
Motion carried 5-0 with unanimous approval. (In favor: S. Harris, Ginis, M. Harris, La Mere-
Anderson, Rosenquist. Opposed: N/A)
DocuSign Envelope ID: D6C9F21D-94C9-43FA-AC72-6A67DB38F511
6B. Review of Council Calendar
Mayor Harris reviewed upcoming city meetings and events.
6C. Mayor and Council Communications
1. Other Committee/Meeting updates
7. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:00 pm.
________________________________
Shepard M. Harris, Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________________
Sue Schwalbe, Deputy City Clerk
DocuSign Envelope ID: D6C9F21D-94C9-43FA-AC72-6A67DB38F511